Air-conditioning core

ABSTRACT

The air-conditioning core includes a plurality of first Peltier devices, a plurality of first fins and a tube. Each of the first Peltier devices has a first surface and a second surface. The first fins are located on the first surfaces of the first Peltier devices. The tube is located adjacent to the second surfaces of the first Peltier devices. The tube has a main portion extending around the second surfaces of the first Peltier devices and also around the first fins for holding the first Peltier devices, an inlet portion connected to the main portion for allowing heat exchange medium of liquid to flow into the main portion, and an outlet portion connected to the main portion for allowing the heat exchange medium of liquid to flow out of the main portion. The outlet portion is located adjacent to the inlet portion.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an air-conditioning core, or an air-conditioning heat exchanger which can be used as a cooler core or heater core.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 10-339516 discloses a cooler core which includes a plurality of Peltier devices each having a first surface that serves as a heat absorbing surface and a second surface that serves as a heat radiating surface, a fin located adjacent to the first surfaces of the Peltier devices and in contact with the atmosphere, and a plurality of tubes. The Peltier devices are arranged so that the first surfaces face inward of the cooler core and the second surfaces face outward of the cooler core. A plurality of radiators is provided on the outer side of the Peltier devices, or at positions adjacent to the second surfaces of the Peltier devices.

Each tube has a liquid passage through which cooling water that serves as heat exchange medium flows. The tubes are connected to the radiators and any two of the tubes communicate with each other through each radiator thereby to form two passages. The opposite ends of each passage are connected to an inlet portion and outlet portion via which the two passages communicate with each other.

When the above-described cooler core is used for an air conditioner, the heat of the air in contact with the fin is absorbed by the Peltier devices and hence the air is cooled. In this case, the absorbed heat of the air is transferred to the cooling water and hence the cooling water is heated. In the cooler core, the cooled air is supplied into and cools a room.

In the meantime, there are needs for downsizing the cooler core and improving the durability of the cooler core. In the case of vehicles, the space for mounting the cooler core is strictly limited. In addition, it is significant to deal with vibration of the moving vehicles. For successful application of the cooler core to a vehicle air conditioner, therefore, it is important for the cooler core to meet the above-described needs.

In the cooler core of the cited reference wherein the tubes are connected to the radiators provided on the outer side of the Peltier devices, the arrangement of the tubes in the cooler core is complicated. In addition, such cooler core has unnecessary space formed inevitably between the radiators and the tubes, or between the outer side of the Peltier devices and the tubes, thus making it difficult to downsize the cooler core.

In the cooler core of the cited reference wherein the tubes are simply connected to the radiators, the Peltier devices may not be firmly fixed by the tubes. Such cooler core has low rigidity that causes serious concern about the durability.

The present invention is directed to an air-conditioning core which is downsized and has high durability.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the air-conditioning core includes a plurality of first Peltier devices, a plurality of first fins and a tube. Each of the first Peltier devices has a first surface and a second surface. The first fins are located on the first surfaces of the first Peltier devices. The tube is located adjacent to the second surfaces of the first Peltier devices. The tube has a main portion extending around the second surfaces of the first Peltier devices and also around the first fins for holding the first Peltier devices, an inlet portion connected to the main portion for allowing heat exchange medium of liquid to flow into the main portion, and an outlet portion connected to the main portion for allowing the heat exchange medium of liquid to flow out of the main portion. The outlet portion is located adjacent to the inlet portion.

Other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrating by way of example the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention together with objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description of the presently preferred embodiments together with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a vehicle air conditioner according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary cross sectional view showing a part II of an air-conditioning core of the vehicle air conditioner of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view showing fin-type radiator sub-assemblies of the air-conditioning core of the vehicle air conditioner of FIG. 1 before being combined; and

FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing a vehicle air conditioner according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The following will describe the vehicle air conditioners according to the embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown the vehicle air conditioner of the first embodiment that is mounted on a vehicle for air conditioning the cabin of the vehicle or vehicle interior. The vehicle air conditioner will be hereinafter referred to as “air conditioner”. The air conditioner includes an air-conditioning core 100, a radiator 3 and a controller 5. The controller 5 is connected to a battery 5A that serves as a power source.

The air-conditioning core 100 has a tube 7, Peltier devices 9A-9H, internal fins 11A, 11B and external fins 13A, 13B. The tube 7 allows cooling water that serves as the heat exchange medium of the present invention to flow therethrough in a single direction as indicated by dashed arrows. More specifically, the tube 7 has a rectangular main portion 70A extending around the internal fins 11A, 11B and the Peltier devices 9A-9D are disposed and held between the internal fins 11A, 11B and the main portion 70A. The Peltier devices 9E-9H are located and held between the main portion 70A of the tube 7 and the external fins 13A, 13B. The Peltier devices 9A-9D serve as the first Peltier devices of the present invention and the internal fins 11A, 11B serve as the first fins of the present invention. The Peltier devices 9E-9H serve as the second Peltier devices of the present invention and the external fins 13A, 13B serve as the second fins of the present invention. Each of the Peltier devices 9A-9H has a first surface 90A and a second surface 90B. Referring to FIG. 2 showing a part of the air-conditioning core 100, the Peltier devices 9B and 9F have on the second surfaces 90B thereof first and second heat-exchanging fins 15, respectively. Although not shown in the drawings, the same is true of the other Peltier devices 9A, 9C-9E and 9G-9H. Each of the Peltier devices 9A-9H is configured so that when the first surface 90A serves as the heat absorbing surface, the second surface 90B serves as the heat radiating surface and when the first surface 90A serves as the heat radiating surface, the second surface 90B serves as the heat absorbing surface.

Referring back to FIG. 1, each of the Peltier devices 9A-9D is located adjacent to the main portion 70A of the tube 7 so that the first surface 90A faces inward and the second surface 90B faces outward of the internal fins 11A, 11B, respectively. More specifically, the second surfaces 90B of the Peltier devices 9A and 9B are located adjacent to a straight tube section 27 of the main portion 70A which will be described later and the second surfaces 90B of the Peltier devices 9C and 9D are located adjacent to a straight tube section 29 of the main portion 70A which will be also described later.

Referring to FIG. 3 showing the fin-type radiator sub-assemblies, the internal fin 11A is located on the first surfaces 90A of the Peltier devices 9A, 9B and the internal fin 11 B is located on the first surfaces 90A of the Peltier devices 9C, 9D. The internal fin 11A has a plurality of first radiator plates 110A. The internal fin 11B has a plurality of first radiator plates 110B. The internal fins 11A and 11B have known temperature sensors 17A and 17B, respectively. The temperature sensors 17A and 17B are electrically connected to the battery 5A shown in FIG. 1.

As shown in FIG. 3, each of the first radiator plates 110A and 110B has on one surface thereof a corrugated second radiator plate 111. The internal fin 11A is formed so that any two adjacent first radiator plates 110A have a space therebetween that is large enough to receive one of the first radiator plates 110B. Similarly, the internal fin 11B is formed so that any two adjacent first radiator plates 110B have a space therebetween that is large enough to receive one of the first radiator plates 110A.

Referring back to FIG. 2, each of the first and second heat-exchanging fins 15 has a plurality of radiator plates. The first heat-exchanging fin 15 is arranged extending in perpendicular relation to the first radiator plates 110A and 110B of the internal fins 11A and 11B. That is, the first heat-exchanging fin 15 is arranged extending along the flow direction of cooling water in the tube section 27 of the main portion 70A that is indicated by the solid arrow of FIG. 2. Each of the first and second heat-exchanging fins 15 may have a plurality of corrugated radiator plates such as those similar to the corrugated second radiator plates 111.

The Peltier devices 9A, 9B, the internal fin 11A and the heat-exchanging fins 15 cooperate to form one 19 of the fin-type radiator sub-assemblies of the air-conditioning core 100, as shown in FIG. 3. Similarly, the Peltier devices 9C, 9D, the internal fin 11B and the heat-exchanging fins 15 cooperate to form the other 21 of the fin-type radiator sub-assemblies, as shown in FIG. 3 (the heat-exchanging fins 15 being not shown in FIG. 3). The fin-type radiator sub-assemblies 19 and 21 are combined together by moving the sub-assemblies 19 and 21 relatively in the arrow directions of FIG. 3 into the assembled form, as shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 1, an air-conditioning fan 100A is located adjacent to the combined sub-assemblies 19 and 21 and electrically connected to the battery 5A.

On the other hand, each of the Peltier devices 9E-9H is located adjacent to the main portion 70A of the tube 7 so that the first surface 90A faces outward and the second surface 90B faces inward of the internal fins 11A, 11B, respectively. More specifically, the Peltier devices 9E and 9A are located across the tube section 27 of the main portion 70A and the Peltier devices 9F and 9B are also located across the tube section 27. Similarly, the Peltier devices 9G and 9C are located across the tube section 29 of the main portion 70A and the Peltier devices 9H and 9D are also located across the tube section 29.

The external fin 13A is provided on the first surfaces 90A of the Peltier devices 9E, 9F and the external fin 13B is provided on the first surfaces 90A of the Peltier devices 9G, 9H. The external fin 13A has a plurality of first radiator plates 130A. The external fin 13B has a plurality of first radiator plates 130B. The second heat-exchanging fin 15 is arranged extending in perpendicular relation to the first radiator plates 130A and 1308 of the external fins 13A and 13B. That is, the second heat-exchanging fin 15 is arranged extending along the flow direction of cooling water in the tube section 27 of the main portion 70A that is indicated by the solid arrow of FIG. 2. Each of the first radiator plates 130A and 130B has on the opposite surfaces thereof the corrugated second radiator plates 111. Air-conditioning fans 100B and 100C are located adjacent to the external fins 13A and 13B, respectively. The external fins 13A and 13B may have the temperature sensors 17A and 17B, respectively.

The tube 7 has an inlet portion 23 communicating with the main portion 70A and an outlet portion 25 located adjacent to the inlet portion 23 and also communicating with the main portion 70A, as well as the main portion 70A.

The main portion 70A has straight tube sections 28, 30, as well as the tube sections 27, 29, each having a passage through which cooling water is allowed to flow. The tube section 27 is horizontally located with one end thereof connected to the inlet portion 23 and the other end connected to one end of the tube section 28 that extends perpendicularly to the tube section 27. The other end of the tube section 28 is connected to one end of the tube section 29 that extends parallel to the tube section 27. The other end of the tube section 29 is connected to one end of the tube section 30 that extends parallel to the tube section 28. The other end of the tube section 30 is connected to the outlet portion 25. The inlet portion 23 and the outlet portion 25 are fixed to each other by a connecting ring 31. Referring back to FIG. 2, the tube section 27 has on the opposite surfaces thereof insertion holes 27A through which the heat-exchanging fins 15 are inserted into the tube section 27, respectively. Similarly, the tube section 29 has on the opposite surfaces thereof insertion holes through which the heat-exchanging fins 15 are inserted into the tube section 29, respectively. Thus, the rectangular main portion 70A of the tube 7 surrounds and holds the combined sub-assemblies 19 and 21.

Referring back to FIG. 1, the radiator 3 has an outlet 3A and an inlet 3B and is configured so as to allow cooling water to flow therethrough. The cooling water in the radiator 3 is cooled or heated by heat exchange with the air surrounding the radiator 3. A radiating fan 3C is located adjacent to the radiator 3 and electrically connected to the battery 5A.

The outlet 3A of the radiator 3 and the inlet portion 23 of the tube 7 are interconnected by a tube 33. The inlet 3B of the radiator 3 and the outlet portion 25 of the tube 7 are interconnected by a tube 35. A motor-driven pump P1 is connected in the tube 33 and electrically connected to the battery 5A. The motor-driven pump P1 may be connected in the tube 35 instead of the tube 33.

The controller 5 is operable to control the operation of the motor-driven pump P1 connected to the controller 5 via the battery 5A, as well as to appropriately change the magnitude and direction of the electric current to be supplied to the Peltier devices 9A-9H based on the signals sent from the temperature sensors 17A and 17B. The battery 5A serves as the power source that supplies power to the Peltier devices 9A-9H. It is noted that the structure of the controller 5 and the battery 5A is known in the art and the detailed explanation thereof will be omitted.

In the above-described air-conditioning core 100 of the air conditioner, the main portion 70A of the tube 7 is located on the outer side of the Peltier devices 9A-9D, or at such a position that the main portion 70A faces the second surfaces 90B of the Peltier devices 9A-9D. The main portion 70A holds the Peltier devices 9A-9D or the combined sub-assemblies 19 and 21 from outside. In the air-conditioning core 100 wherein the combined sub-assemblies 19 and 21 are located inside and surrounded by the main portion 70A, mounting the tube 7 to the combined sub-assemblies 19, 21 is simple and unnecessary space between the outer side of the combined sub-assemblies 19, 21 and the tube 7 is hardly created.

In the air-conditioning core 100 wherein the combined sub-assemblies 19 and 21 are surrounded by the main portion 70A, the combined sub-assemblies 19 and 21 are firmly fixed inside the main portion 70A. Thus, the rigidity of the air-conditioning core 100 is increased.

In the heating and cooling operations of the air conditioner having the air-conditioning core 100, the controller 5 keeps the motor-driven pump P1 and the radiating fan 3C running. Thus, cooling water circulates through the air-conditioning core 100 and the radiator 3 in the direction of arrow of FIG. 1. Therefore, the cooling water flows through the inlet portion 23, the tube sections 27-30 and the outlet portion 25 of the tube 7 in this order in a single direction as indicated by the dashed arrows of FIG. 1. The controller 5 causes the air-conditioning fans 100A-100C to run thereby to supply air to the air-conditioning core 100.

In the heating operation of the air conditioner, the controller 5 causes electric current to flow to the Peltier devices 9A-9H in such direction that each first surface 90A of the Peltier devices 9A-9H serves as the heat radiating surface and that each second surface 90B serves as the heat absorbing surface. The Peltier devices 9A-9H radiate heat to the air which passes by the first surfaces 90A of the Peltier devices 9A-9H via the internal fins 11A, 11B and the external fins 13A, 13B. Thus, the air-conditioning core 100 heats the air. Therefore, the air conditioner supplies the heated air into the vehicle interior via the air-conditioning fans 100A-100C thereby to heat the vehicle interior.

While thus radiating heat to the air, the Peltier devices 9A-9H absorb heat from the cooling water flowing in the tube sections 27 and 29 of the main portion 70A of the tube 7. In this case, the heat-exchanging fins 15 (FIG. 2) provided on the second surfaces 90B of the Peltier devices 9A-9H help to absorb heat from the cooling water efficiently. Thus, the Peltier devices 9A-9H radiate heat from the first surfaces 90A in an efficient way.

The cooling water cooled by the heat absorption of the Peltier devices 9A-9H is heated in the radiator 3 by heat exchange with the air surrounding the radiator 3.

In the cooling operation of the air conditioner, on the other hand, the controller 5 causes electric current to flow to the Peltier devices 9A-9H in such direction that each first surface 90A of the Peltier devices 9A-9H serves as the heat absorbing surface and that each second surface 90B serves as the heat radiating surface. The Peltier devices 9A-9H absorb heat from the air which passes by the first surfaces 90A of the Peltier devices 9A-9H via the internal fins 11A, 11B and the external fins 13A, 13B. Thus, the air-conditioning core 100 cools the air. Therefore, the air conditioner supplies the cooled air into the vehicle interior via the air-conditioning fans 100A-100C thereby to cool the vehicle interior.

While thus absorbing heat from the air, the Peltier devices 9A-9H radiate heat to the cooling water flowing in the tube sections 27 and 29 of the main portion 70A of the tube 7. The cooling water heated by the heat radiation of the Peltier devices 9A-9H is cooled in the radiator 3 by heat exchange with the air surrounding the radiator 3.

In the heating and cooling operations of the air conditioner having the air-conditioning core 100, the controller 5 controls the magnitude of electric current to flow to the Peltier devices 9A-9H based on the temperatures of air detected by the temperature sensors 17A and 17B. Thus, the Peltier devices 9A-9H can cool or heat the air in an efficient manner in the heating and cooling operations of the air conditioner.

Therefore, the air-conditioning core 100 of the air conditioner may be downsized and improves the durability, and the air conditioner may be downsized and has improved durability, accordingly.

In the air-conditioning core 100 wherein the inlet portion 23 and the outlet portion 25 are fixed to each other by the connecting ring 31, the fastening force of the connecting ring 31 is transmitted to the tube sections 27-30 of the main portion 70A evenly, so that the fastening force serves to hold the combined sub-assemblies 19, 21 and holding force of the combined sub-assemblies is increased. Therefore, the rigidity of the air-conditioning core 100 is increased and the durability of the air-conditioning core 100 is increased, accordingly.

The air-conditioning core 100 wherein the fin-type radiator sub-assembly 19 having the Peltier devices 9A, 9B, the internal fin 11A and the heat-exchanging fins 15, and the fin-type radiator sub-assembly 21 having the Peltier devices 9C, 9D, the internal fin 11B and the heat-exchanging fins 15 are combined together in the main portion 70A may be easily manufactured.

In the air-conditioning core 100 wherein the sub-assemblies 19 and 21 are combined together with the first radiator plates 110B of the internal fin 11 B of the sub-assembly 21 located between the first radiator plates 110A of the internal fin 11A of the sub-assembly 19, mounting the sub-assemblies 19 and 21 to the main portion 70A may be performed easily. Thus, the manufacturing cost of the air-conditioning core 100 is reduced.

In the air-conditioning core 100, the main portion 70A of the tube 7 has on the outer side thereof the Peltier devices 9E-9H as well as on the inner side thereof the Peltier devices 9A-9D. In addition, the arrangement of the external fin 13A on the first surfaces 90A of the Peltier devices 9E, 9F and the external fin 13B on the first surfaces 90A of the Peltier devices 9G, 9H makes possible heating and cooling operations of the air conditioner not only by the Peltier devices 9A-9D and the internal fins 11A, 11B, but also by the Peltier devices 9E-9H and the external fins 13A, 13B. Furthermore, the cooling water in the main portion 70A of the tube 7 is heated or cooled efficiently by the Peltier devices 9E-9H, so that the air-conditioning core 100 is operable to air-condition the vehicle interior efficiently.

Referring to FIG. 4 showing the vehicle air conditioner of the second embodiment, it includes an air-conditioning core 200 in place of the air-conditioning core 100 of FIG. 1.

In the air-conditioning core 200, each of the Peltier devices 9A-9D is located adjacent to the inner side of the main portion 70A in such a position that the first surface 90A faces inward and the second surface 90B faces outward. More specifically, the second surface 90B of the Peltier device 9A is located adjacent to a straight tube section 53 of the main portion 70A which will be described later and the second surface 90B of the Peltier devices 9B is located adjacent to a straight tube section 54 of the main portion 70A which will be also described later. The second surface 90B of the Peltier device 9C is located adjacent to a straight tube section 55 of the main portion 70A which will be also described later and the second surface 90B of the Peltier device 9D is located adjacent to a straight tube section 56 of the main portion 70A which will be also described later.

Internal fins 41A and 41 B are disposed in contact with the first surfaces 90A of the Peltier devices 9A and 9C, respectively. Internal fins 43A and 43B are disposed in contact with the first surfaces 90A of the Peltier devices 9B and 9D, respectively. The internal fins 41A, 41B, 43A, 43B serve as the first fins of the present invention.

Each of the internal fins 41A and 41B has a plurality of radiator plates 410, respectively. Each of the internal fins 43A and 43B has a plurality of radiator plates 430, respectively. The radiator plates 410 of the internal fins 41A and 41B are formed so that their lengths decrease from the middles toward the opposite ends of the internal fins 41A and 41B, respectively. The radiator plates 430 of the internal fins 43A and 43B are formed so that their lengths decrease from the middles toward the opposite ends of the internal fins 43A and 43B, respectively. The internal fins 41A, 41B, 43A, 43B have known temperature sensors 17A, 17B, 17C, 17D, respectively.

The Peltier device 9A, the internal fin 41A and the heat-exchanging fin 15 (refer to FIG. 2) cooperate to form a fin-type radiator sub-assembly 45. Similarly, the Peltier device 9B, the internal fin 43A and the heat-exchanging fin 15 cooperate to form a fin-type radiator sub-assembly 47. Similarly, the Peltier device 9C, the internal fin 41B and the heat-exchanging fin 15 cooperate to form a fin-type radiator sub-assembly 49. Similarly, the Peltier device 9D, the internal fin 43B and the heat-exchanging fin 15 cooperate to form a fin-type radiator sub-assembly 51. The sub-assemblies 45 and 49 are opposed and combined together inside the tube 7. The sub-assemblies 47 and 51 are opposed and combined together inside the tube 7. The air-conditioning fan 100A is located adjacent to the sub-assemblies 45, 47, 49, 51.

As indicated earlier, the main portion 70A of the tube 7 of the air-conditioning core 200 has four tube sections 53-56 in place of the tube sections 27-30 of FIG. 1. Each of the tube sections 53-56 has a passage through which cooling water is allowed to flow. The tube section 53 has on the surface thereof and at a position adjacent to the Peltier device 9A an insertion hole (refer to the 27A of FIG. 2) through which the heat-exchanging fin 15 is inserted into the tube section 53. Similarly, the tube section 54 has on the surface thereof and at a position adjacent to the Peltier device 9B an insertion hole (refer to the 27A) through which the heat-exchanging fin 15 is inserted into the tube section 54. Similarly, the tube section 55 has on the surface thereof and at a position adjacent to the Peltier device 9C an insertion hole (refer to the 27A) through which the heat-exchanging fin 15 is inserted into the tube section 55. Similarly, the tube section 56 has on the surface thereof and at a position adjacent to the Peltier device 9D an insertion hole (refer to the 27A) through which the heat-exchanging fin 15 is inserted into the tube section 56. The tube section 53 is connected at one end thereof to the inlet portion 23 and the tube section 56 is connected at the other end thereof to the outlet portion 25. The connection between the tube sections 53-56 is made as in the case of the connection between the tube sections 27-30 in the first embodiment. The main portion 70A having the four tube sections 53-56 surrounds and holds the sub-assemblies 45, 47, 49, 51 in such arrangement that the sub-assembly 45 is opposite to the sub-assembly 49 and the sub-assembly 47 is opposite to the sub-assembly 51.

A vacuum insulation member 57 is disposed so as to cover the main portion 70A, the inlet portion 23 and the outlet portion 25 of the tube 7. The vacuum insulation member 57 may be replaced by an insulation member made of any suitable foamed resin. In the second embodiment, like reference numerals indicate like parts and elements used in the description of the first embodiment and the detailed description of such parts and elements will be omitted.

In the heating and cooling operations of the air conditioner having the air-conditioning core 200, heat radiation or heat absorption of each first surface 90A of the Peltier devices 9A-9D causes the air surrounding the internal fins 41A, 41B, 43A, 43B to be heated or cooled, respectively. The air-conditioning fan 100A supplies the heated or cooled air into the vehicle interior thereby to heat or cool the vehicle interior.

In the air-conditioning core 200, the vacuum insulation member 57 is provided around and close to the outer sides of the main portion 70A, the inlet portion 23 and the outlet portion 25 so as to insulate the outer sides of the main portion 70A, the inlet portion 23 and the outlet portion 25. The heat of the cooling water in the tube 7 is hardly radiated from the tube 7 and the cooling water is hardly heated by the surrounding air. Thus, heat radiation and heat absorption of the Peltier devices 9A-9D to and from the cooling water via the internal fins 41A, 41B, 43A, 43B are performed further effectively. In addition, heat radiation and heat absorption of the Peltier devices 9A-9D to and from the air via the internal fins 41A, 41B, 43A, 43B are performed further effectively. Thus, heating or cooling of air is performed in an efficient manner. Therefore, the performance of the air conditioner having the air-conditioning core 200 is enhanced.

In the air conditioner having the air-conditioning core 200 wherein the engine is warmed by the heated cooling water and cooled by the cooled cooling water, utilization of heat energy and cold energy of the cooling water can be accomplished with ease. The rest of the effects of the second embodiment are substantially the same as those of the first embodiment.

The present invention has been described in the context of the first and second embodiments, but it is not limited to the embodiments. It is obvious to those skilled in the art that the invention may be practiced in various manners as exemplified below.

In the air-conditioning core 100, Peltier devices and external fins may be provided also on the outer sides of the tube sections 28 and 30. In such an arrangement, further efficient heating and cooling of the air is accomplished, thereby enhancing the air-conditioning of the vehicle interior.

In the air-conditioning core 200, the four sides of the four straight tube sections 53-56 of the main portion 70A of the tube 7 may be made with substantially the same length so that the main portion 70A forms a square shape. In this case, the internal fins 41A, 41B, 43A, 43B are all made in the same shape and the sub-assemblies 45, 47, 49, 51 are all made in the same shape, accordingly, which helps to reduce the manufacturing cost of the air-conditioning core 200.

The radiator 3 may also serve to cool the drive unit such as engine or motor. The battery 5A may also serve as the power source of the motor.

The air-conditioning core of the present invention is applicable not only to the vehicle air conditioner but also to a stationary air-conditioner for home or office use.

In one aspect of the air-conditioning core of the present invention, water, antifreeze fluid or the like may be used as the liquid that serves as the heat exchange medium. Such fluid may be prepared and used specifically for heat absorption or heat radiation of the Peltier device. When the air-conditioning core is used for a vehicle air conditioner, cooling water for engine may be used as the heat exchange medium. 

1. An air-conditioning core comprising: a plurality of first Peltier devices each having a first surface and a second surface; a plurality of first fins located on the first surfaces of the first Peltier devices; a tube located adjacent to the second surfaces of the first Peltier devices, the tube having a main portion extending around the second surfaces of the first Peltier devices and also around the first fins for holding the first Peltier devices, an inlet portion connected to the main portion for allowing heat exchange medium of liquid to flow into the main portion, and an outlet portion connected to the main portion for allowing the heat exchange medium of liquid to flow out of the main portion, wherein the outlet portion is located adjacent to the inlet portion.
 2. The air-conditioning core according to claim 1, wherein the inlet portion and the outlet portion are fixed to each other.
 3. The air-conditioning core according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of sub-assemblies has the first Peltier devices and the first fins, and is combined together in the main portion.
 4. The air-conditioning core according to claim 3, wherein each of the first fins has a plurality of radiator plates, wherein a pair of the sub-assemblies is opposed and combined together with the radiator plates of the first fin of one of the sub-assemblies located between the radiator plates of the first fin of the other of the sub-assemblies.
 5. The air-conditioning core according to claim 1, wherein an insulation member is disposed so as to cover the main portion.
 6. The air-conditioning core according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of second Peltier devices provided on an outer side of the main portion and a plurality of second fins provided on an outer side of the second Peltier devices. 